Homeopathy for Dog Arthritis
Homeopathy is a branch of medicine, which is well over a hundred years old, whose development is based on the "Law of Similars" that involves "treating and curing like with like.”
This means that a homeopathic treatment always involves remedies selected to induce symptoms in a healthy person actually similar to the disease of concern, but which when given in extremely low potencies will help to heal a person with similar symptoms.
Homeopathic remedies can be prepared from all sorts of plant, animal, mineral or other materials and though it may seem paradoxical, the dosages are the most powerful when given in their highest dilutions. The energies of the remedies are designed to arouse the body's innate abilities to overcome sickness and restore health.
The selection of the right homeopathic remedy, whether for a dog or human, takes a lot of skill and training. Therefore, while in simple cases pet owners can select the remedies themselves, especially when consulting a book such as Don Hamilton’s Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs, in complicated cases – such as in canine arthritis – the appropriate treatment should be prescribed by a veterinarian who has been trained in homeopathy.
You want your dog treated by someone who has had much experience with your dog’s condition, so going to a professional will give you the highest chances that a homeopathic remedy will prove successful.
Two common homeopathic treatments that involve arthritis include Rhus tox for conditions where exercise alleviates stiffness and Bryonia where there is increasing pain with exercise.
It’s rare that only a single homeopathic remedy is needed to help heal a chronic condition such as arthritis or dysplasia because those situations are usually quite complicated and will usually necessitate a series of different remedies taken over time. In chronic situations, a series of treatments may take weeks or months to produce the desired results.
A good response to homeopathy is when a dog seems to feel better from the treatment, which you can usually tell by an increase in their energy levels, an improved temperament, and/or the relief of more serious symptoms. Sometimes as a dog is progressing toward healing, just as with humans, there may be a temporary return of the old symptoms that were not adequately resolved previously through the initial homeopathic treatments.
You have to be careful when giving your animal homeopathic treatments because other therapeutic treatment methods can also interfere with the healing response activated by homeopathy such as vaccinations, medications, surgery, dentistry, anesthesia, acupuncture, herbs and even other homeopathic remedies. However, massage and nutritional supplementation can be safely be used alongside of homeopathic treatments.
There are a number of rules to follow when administering homeopathic remedies to an animal. The first rule is not to give them at the same time as food. Also, the remedies should not be touched so as not to contaminate them.
Remedies can be administered via small pellets or tablets or may be diluted in pure water or purchased in liquid form. If using pills, you put the requisite amount on your dog’s tongue and let the medicine dissolve. When using drops, you put them in your dog's mouth also without letting the dropper touch the mouth or tongue in any way.
Homeopathic remedies are sensitive to light and heat and must be stored in a cool, dry place. To find a practitioner in your area, you can check with one of the following organizations:
International Association for Veterinary Homoeopathy (IAVH)
Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy (AVH)
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